Wrinkle Fillers and Facial Rejuvenation
When it comes to looking good and taking care of our skin, there are many options available to choose from. Although there are great skin care products on the market, none can work in the same way as dermal fillers, also known as wrinkle fillers or cosmetic fillers, or Botox. While these skin care products can improve the appearance of the skin, overtime, effects of aging will become visible. This is typically when a person is within the age bracket of 40 to 45. This is where the use of dermal fillers, or cosmetic fillers is most effective.
Wrinkle fillers help to improve your looks. Its usage has been made more popular by celebrities choosing it as their desired choice in attaining youthful skin. The use of cosmetic fillers leaves the skin looking exceptionally young and smooth. Before opting for dermal fillers, the fear of needles has to be considered and overlooked. This is because it can be used to improve skin conditions like wrinkles, loss of fat in lips and face. Another aspect of using wrinkle fillers involves choosing from the numerous types of fillers available. This shall be covered in details to help you make a choice.
Wrinkle Fillers And How They Work
Compared to corrective measures employed by the medical profession, dermal fillers function in its unique way. The procedure is done by injecting the cosmetic fillers directly under the areas of the skin that needs improvement. For the face, areas that can be filled include sunken points under the eye or lines between the brows. Other parts include around the mouth or hollowed parts of the face. After the areas have been injected, the skin will become plump and smoothened. Once done, the wrinkle fillers can last between 3months to 24months, and this is dependent on the following:
The type of dermal fillers used
Care of the skin afterward
How the face ages
The wrinkle fillers can be either a synthetic material, or it could be a naturally-derived material
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Cosmetic Fillers Are Not The Same As Botox
While both skin improvement options are done using injections, they are completely different. This is because Botox is injected to restrict the movements of muscles in a specific area, usually around the eyes and forehead. Dermal fillers are used to smoothen and make plump areas of the skin for that youthful look. There are cases where some people opt for combining the two for an even younger look.
There Are NO Best Dermal Fillers
There are many dermal fillers available to choose from, and the list of varieties seem endless. All wrinkle fillers have some level of risks involved although, some have more risk than others. Hence, no particular brand or type of cosmetic fillers can be called the best. The choice of suitability and preference depends on the skill and expertise of the doctor as well as the facial needs. As such, the doctor uses the option that is for an individual’s face. The issue of which dermal fillers are best is based on marketing strategies by companies making the wrinkle fillers. The past 20 years have seen cosmetic fillers take fewer pages in fashion magazines and recommendations by doctors. Also, manufacturers who once paid for heralded studies in support have been discontinued for private reasons.
Categories of Wrinkle Fillers
All wrinkle fillers fall into one of two categories of fillers, and they are:
Natural Wrinkle Fillers
Synthetic Wrinkle Fillers
Natural Wrinkle Fillers
These categories of dermal fillers are also referred to as naturally-derived fillers. These cosmetic fillers, being natural, are less likely to bring up an allergic reaction when used even though it happens sometimes. An added benefit of natural cosmetic fillers is that results can be seen immediately and usually last up to 18months. In some cases, it has been known to last two years before another appointment is scheduled to see a doctor. This way, injection top-ups are administered, and youthful looks are maintained. It is known that on most occasions, within a space of 12months, people who get natural cosmetic fillers usually require a top-up.
Also Read: Sculptra Aesthetic: Is This Facial Injectable The Next Big
Synthetic Wrinkle Fillers
The synthetic type of dermal fillers has a longer lasting duration before a top-up would be required. Most synthetic fillers are either semi-permanent or permanent, with a larger percentage of them being semi-permanent. Hence, the need to return for top-ups and regular maintenance is reduced. The major cause for most return trips to the doctor is dependent on how the skin continues to age afterward. Also, it could be as a result of proper skin care not being employed daily.
Just like the natural dermal fillers, the use of synthetic fillers poses its risks in the form of the fillers forming lumps or migrating. While complications from using the natural fillers can be corrected more easily, correcting those brought about by synthetic fillers is harder.
Review of Wrinkle Fillers
There are many types of dermal fillers available to choose from and consider before a decision on which to use. Although they can be quite pricey, each type has its pros and cons and differences in how long they last. When viewed in perspective based on the results obtainable and the low risks involved, it can be a suitable alternative. This is also dependent on having an experienced doctor.
The list below contains some types of cosmetic fillers and some information about them. While going through the list, be aware that a dermatologist can recommend more than one type depending on the concerned areas. This is because one filler can be suited to one part of the face and not another hence, having to use another type.
Artefill is a synthetic type of filler consisting of an animal-derived collagen mixed with Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA). It is known to have semi-permanent to permanent properties, and as a result of this, its use requires great skill. Associated risks with using Artefill include lumping, the presence of hardened grain-size nodules at injection point and the filler migrating. Artefill can last almost indefinitely which implies that if any problem arises, the filler has to be removed. This removal process of the filler is no easy task. The longevity of using the Artefill filler means no scheduling of regular maintenance is needed compared to naturally derived fillers.
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Autologous Fat (Fat Grafting) is the use of fat obtained from a part of one’s body through liposuction. While the process of harvesting fat is a rather complicated one, it can be done in the doctor’s office. As with all injectables, there is no concrete way to ascertain for surety how long it would last. This is because its longevity varies for each person. The use of this type of filler can last from 12 to 24 months. The main concern regarding risk with this type of filler is a migration of the fat. This can cause a lumpy appearance and at times, uneven surface of the injected area. It is common to think that fat materials taken from your body can be easily used without problems. This is not so as they can be quite difficult to correct.
Juvederm Ultra and Juvederm Ultra Plus are popular lab-synthesized hyaluronic acid based fillers. Juvederm Ultra Plus filler is used mainly for areas of the skin that have considerable deeper and depressed folds while the Juvederm Ultra dermal filler is mainly used to make surface lines plump and finer.
On average, both types of wrinkle fillers can last between 6months and up to 24months in some cases. This duration of longevity is largely dependent on how the skin ages, care for the skin and quantity injected. Other types exist which are the Juvederm Ultra XC and Juvederm Ultra Plus XC dermal fillers. These fillers are made using the same material but added to it is anesthetic lidocaine to help reduce pain from injection.
Juvederm Voluma is different from the above Ultra versions of cosmetic fillers. This is because its Hyaluronic gel is much thicker and more adapted to filling areas experiencing volume loss due to age. Examples of such areas include the chin areas and cheekbone. This type of filler is not suitable for the eye areas or lips. This filler after injecting can last upwards of 12months to 18months.
Perlane is similar in composition to Restylane and hence, regarded as a sister product. Perlane and Restylane are transparent, viscous gel particles of Hyaluronic acid and are cultured in a laboratory. Perlane is used to provide volume by injecting it into facial tissue thereby smoothening folds and wrinkles. Common areas include the mouth, nose, and zones of the mouth edges. The difference between Perlane and Restylane is their size as Perlane is larger and as such, considered for deeper wrinkles. Perlane can stay for 6months to 1 year.
Radiesse being a synthetic material comprises of a cellulose gel carrier having suspended in it Calcium Hydroxyapatite. The cellulose gel carrier occupies 70% by composition while the Calcium Hydroxyapatite is 30%. Calcium Hydroxyapatite has been used in repairing bone and skeletal defects due to its “bone cement” like properties. Research carried out has indicated that Radiesse can be used as dermal fillers due to stable results obtained. Radiesse is mainly used for deep wrinkles as compared to superficial wrinkles and is regarded as a semi-permanent filler.
Restylane is mainly used for addressing superficial wrinkling cases. It is laboratory derived from bacteria and a type of hyaluronic acid. According to research carried out, it can be used in building volume and deep filling of wrinkles. The use of Restylane can produce results lasting six months to 1 year. Since Restylane is similar to Perlane, choice of usage by a dermatologist depends on the specific areas and suitability.
Sculptra is poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) derived and a sort of filler but synthetic in nature. When injected under the skin, it doesn’t work to make the area plump but instead, stimulate the production of collagen. Sculptra finds uses in addressing wrinkles and “ice pick”-type acne scars and also, improving facial depressions. With Sculptra, observable results are not seen immediately and as such require multiple treatments to achieve the desired results and appearance.
Zyplast, Zyderm I and Zyderm II are cow-derived collagen with the only difference being how they are combined. Zyderm was first produced and approved by the FDA for use as dermal fillers, and its technique has been standardized. The use of these types of material requires overcorrection for maintaining results over time because they can be absorbed. Also, they have a duration range of 3 to 9months, and allergy testing is mandated due to injectable bovine (cow) collagen.
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Risks Associated With Wrinkle Fillers
The biggest concerns with cosmetic fillers are longevity, risks of lumping and migration. Also, the practicing doctor’s skill and expertise is of concern with regards the exact quantity needed and precise placing. Irrespective of the material of filler, the injection technique requires a doctor with a wealth of experience with different types of dermal fillers.
With these in mind, it is understandable to opt for the use of wrinkle fillers in addressing signs of aging. In like manner as skin products offering corrective procedures, using well-formulated products can help keep the skin looking younger. Also, the skin would be healthier for longer and slow down the aging process.
